So, I decided to reinstall Skyrim, this time with the intention of modding it. Looking back, I realize that my biggest problem with Skyrim is that I didn't really feel like I was part of the world. I felt like a separate entity that was just going around and doing things for everyone else. I felt like I didn't have a proper character in the game, and by the end it felt too much like a power fantasy. Any mod recommendations that can change this as well as immerse me more in the setting? I was thinking of doing Alternate Start as well as Frostfall, Interesting NPC's, and the Civil War overhaul. Any other suggestions?

First, Frostfall is not really recommended (personally). I do use it, but there are times when i find myself dashing to the nearest building or fire i could find, no matter what enemies were there. I would also recommend IMCN and if you're going to use Frostfall i would suggest getting Camping Kit of The Northern Ranger, which makes it easier setting up a tent and going inside for a few moments. Katixas Ciderhouse is also one i use to at least make a profit without being the immersion breaking super hero shouting killing machine I strive not to be (basically, i try to make money without having to go slaughter ten bandits and a dragon). Thats all i can think of at the moment, and all of those are found at the steam workshop.

(1) Turn off the compass. It gives much away, especially because it tells you where enemies are, even if you cannot see them.

(2) Turn off the music. It tells you whether enemies are nearby and what they do.

(3) Turn off questmarkers and floating questmarkers, so that you only have the map and the sky for orientation. Otherwise, the quest markers will tell you exactly where to go and where to look for specific NPCs or items.

(4) Install the following modifications (or only those of your liking):

(k) More Hotkeys Please (allows you to create hotkeys for almost anything, so that you do not have to interrupt a fight just in order to take a healing potion, for example, and you can switch between several outfits and weapon sets immediately) [http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23416//?]

(o) Deadly Dragons (adjust the dragons to your liking; now it will take a hero to kill a dragon, not someone who can swing a sword around and manages to hit a nearby target with one out of ten arrows) [http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3829//?]

(p) Moonlight Tales Werewolf and Werebear Overhaul (allows you to make both werewolves and werebears have different skins, creates random werewolf, werebear,and werewolf hunter events, the chance of which can be adjusted, and much more) [http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/35470//?]

Now comes the most important part. Unless you know exactly where to put everything, the safest way to install modifications is using a mod managing tool such as Nexus Mod Manager [http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/modmanager//?] or Wrye Bash [http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/1840/?]. I recommend to get both because NMM is easier to handle, but Wrye Bash allows you to create a bashed patch.Furthermore, some of the modifications listet above need SKSE (Skyrim Script Enhancer), which, alongside a demonstration as to how to install it, you can find here: http://skse.silverlock.org/.Last but not least you should use B.O.S.S. [http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/6//?] in order to sort your modifications automatically. Read each modification’s description carefully, though, because you may have to sort some things differently manually than B.O.S.S. does by default (you can create your own rules, however).I highly recommend you to watch videos of the modifications listed above, then create a test character. It is never a good idea to change much after creating a save game, especially uninstalling modifications that use scripts will ruin your save games. If B.O.S.S. tells you that some modifications need cleaning, you will need TESVEdit to do so, which can be found here: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25859/?.

Once again, take your time, read all the descriptions, watch videos, create a test character, and refrain from uninstalling modifications that use scripts unless you are willing to start a new game. It is possible to get it to run properly if you take care, but it also depends upon your particular system, of course.

I have tried all of the aforementioned and spent much time to find out what works best. If you take your time, your experience will become much more immersive than vanilla Skyrim!

Deadly Dragons and Enhanced Mighty Dragons need to be merged in a Bashed Patch, and some levelled lists will also be included, but everything in that list is compatible with everything else if the loading order is correct.

I would add Frostfall to that list, definitely. I have had some strange moments in Frostfall, trying to sneak into a cave of necromancers so I could huddle up to a fire was one, but for realism - Skyrim is supposed to be dangerously cold!

I would add Frostfall to that list, definitely. I have had some strange moments in Frostfall, trying to sneak into a cave of necromancers so I could huddle up to a fire was one, but for realism - Skyrim is supposed to be dangerously cold!

Thanks for the help. There's a lot of suggestions here that sound absolutely fantastic. Also, I'm looking for mods that add more weight to the combat as well, like the Combat Overhaul mod. Maybe also something that changes how magic fights work? Something like that.

Thanks for the help. There's a lot of suggestions here that sound absolutely fantastic. Also, I'm looking for mods that add more weight to the combat as well, like the Combat Overhaul mod. Maybe also something that changes how magic fights work? Something like that.

Okay, I've activated a lot of these (plus some extras) with know conflicts. However, I have no idea how to specifically merge Deadly Dragons and Enhanced Mighty Dragons. Do I do something with Bashed Patch 0? I have no idea. Also, do I merge every part of Mighty Dragons, including the ERSO bits?